This was another epic One Roof x Antler event in Melbourne for women in startups! 
The event was a great opportunity to network and connect with entrepreneurial women - alongside an epic panel of five impressive founders/funders! So grateful for opportunities like this to learn from such experts.

• One Roof has been supporting women in business for 8 years, first in person and now online, with 1,500 members across Australia.

• Antler: After running startup programs in Australia for just 4 years, they’ve already invested in 100 companies - 37% with at least one female co-founder.

TOP INSIGHTS FOR FEMALE FOUNDERS 

— Rachel Yang, Investor at Giant Leap 

• Don’t waste your time speaking with investors that aren’t right for you 

• Giant Leap saw ~1,700 pitches last year. Make sure you work on your pitch.
  

— Tracey Warren, Investor at F5 Collective 

• Founders need to showcase their defensibility. Know the assumptions you’re making, collect data to show how you’re right / wrong, and understand your numbers.

— Jodi Geddes, Co-Founder of Circle In and Well 

• Women tend to solve problems from personal needs. Make sure you spend time to deeper understand the problem you’re solving. Investigate your competitors. Survey your target market. Solve a real problem that’s a “must have” for your customers vs a “nice to have”.

• You CAN be really profitable and successful on your own. Consider what you can gain from different funding options, private investors or VC investors. Raising capital takes time and takes attention away from your core business - so plan for that.  
  

— Jeanette Cheah, Founder at HEX

• Lessons are everywhere. Make sure you’re looking for them. 

• Founders are the ones responsible for the numbers and culture. Build your resiliency and ride the highs and lows - they could even out over time!

• Your reputation matters. When partnering or raising capital, there will always be talk outside of meetings. Make sure you’re trustworthy, supportive and holding the door open for others.

— Chanel Costabir, Founder at One Key Access 

• Founders need to be comfortable with taking risks. Female founders should think really big, bold and global from day one. 

• Things will inevitably go wrong, but things also change quickly. Tomorrow or next month you’ll have forgotten about that problem. Know that each one is a moment in time and it’s all a journey. 

• It can be gut wrenching when investors don’t want to back your company. But it’s not personal. Make sure your company is a great company to invest in.

Thanks to the organisers and facilitators of the amazing event: Sheree Rubinstein, Frances Goh, Rani Heraputeri, Emeli Paulo

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